Places to Visit Near Mount Sterling

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About Mt Abu

Mount Abu is the only hill station in the deserts of Rajasthan. Among forts and palaces, this quiet hill station is quite popular with local tourists as well as visitors from across the country.
A place of great religious reverence to the Jain community, the Dilwara Jain Temple is a set of five temples, all belonging to a different century. The temples are carved out of white marble and depict scenes of Gods and Goddesses and are a must visit for their architectural brilliance.
You can also spend a day at Nakki Lake. Lying in the hills, this lovely lake offers boating opportunities to visitors. The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is another wonderful way to spend your time on this hill station and can take up your entire day, so do keep yourself free. For trekkers and adventure enthusiasts, the Guru Shikhar is the highest peak in the region and trekking here is a memorable and adventurous experience, though if you aren't an experienced trekker, you may need a little help!
There are numerous hotels and guesthouses here, though depending on the type of traveller you are, it might be a good idea to do a little bit of research before settling on a place to stay.Read More

Best Time To Visit

Best time to visit Mt Abu is from October to March

Mt Abu

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Udaipur was called the most romantic spot in India by Colonel James Tod, the East India Company’s first political agent here. And it remains the same today with its old world charm, stunning palaces, bustling bazaars and serene boat rides on Lake Pichola. Towering over this lake is the mighty City Palace, which is an amalgamation of Rajasthani, Mughal and medieval architectures. With its exquisite gardens and ancient white walls, this palace draws travellers from all over. Located right in the middle of Lake Pichola is the Jag Mandir Palace, from where you can see the beautiful sunset reflected in the water.
If you have a thing for automobiles, the Vintage Car Museum will make your heart leap with joy. Located near the City Palace, this museum showcases a collection of spectacular vintage cars such as Cadillac, Chevrolet and Morris. Other attractions in the city include Bada Mahal, Haldighati, Saheliyon ki Bari and Jaisamand Lake.
Udaipur's cuisine reflects its Rajasthani spirit. The famous dal baati choorma and gatte ki sabzi are definite must haves. Popular eateries here include Chandni, Ambrai, Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel, Lotus Cafe and Mayur Rooftop Cafe. Hotels are easily available in Udaipur, and several retain their old world feel. Read More

Udaipur was called the most romantic spot in India by Colonel James Tod, the East India Company’s first political agent here. And it remains the same today with its old world charm, stunning palaces, bustling bazaars and serene boat rides on Lake Pichola. Towering over this lake is the mighty City Palace, which is an amalgamation of Rajasthani, Mughal and medieval architectures. With its exquisite gardens and ancient white walls, this palace draws travellers from all over. Located right in the middle of Lake Pichola is the Jag Mandir Palace, from where you can see the beautiful sunset reflected in the water.
If you have a thing for automobiles, the Vintage Car Museum will make your heart leap with joy. Located near the City Palace, this museum showcases a collection of spectacular vintage cars such as Cadillac, Chevrolet and Morris. Other attractions in the city include Bada Mahal, Haldighati, Saheliyon ki Bari and Jaisamand Lake.
Udaipur's cuisine reflects its Rajasthani spirit. The famous dal baati choorma and gatte ki sabzi are definite must haves. Popular eateries here include Chandni, Ambrai, Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel, Lotus Cafe and Mayur Rooftop Cafe. Hotels are easily available in Udaipur, and several retain their old world feel.

Day 4, 10-ish am - A new day and we were excited to begin our tour of Rajasthan, notwithstanding the arduous driving throughout the previous days. It was a 3-hour drive to Udaipur, the City of Lakes. The roads were well-maintained and hardly had any traffic (except for the occasional camel cart), so it was a smooth cruise to Udaipur. We even had the luxury of stopping on the way to have an impromptu photo-shoot!

Head to the city of lakes this December to relax, replenish and rejuvenate. Udaipur has a number of palaces and forts that you can see, and with the weather outside being so fabulous, you will easily explore everything without stressing to cover your to-see list. Taste the local Rajasthani cuisine and enjoy shopping at the bazaars inside the interiors of Udaipur. This beautiful city will not fail in charming you and keeps up its mark of one of the best places to visit in India.How to reach Udaipur:You can reach Udaipur by air, rail and road very easily. Udaipur is well connected by road, rail and air.

Oct 9th, 9 am checked out from the hotel and started my onwards journey from Ajmer to Udaipur. The Highway paved got better and better as I kept of riding towards Udaipur. The highway which connects Ahmedabad and Mumbai was a pleasure to ride. On the way I stopped at a place to stretch my back and a passer-by stopped and asked if I was coming all alone and about my protective gears and finally appreciated by shaking hands and congratulated on the success of my journey!! Reached Udaipur in 6 hours time, checked in the hotel I booked through Make my trip and as the closing time was nearing for all tourist attractions, I had to restrict myself only to Sajjangarh Biological park and that was the end of Day 2.

Udaipur :- Udaipur is a rich and very quiet city in Rajasthan. Udaipur is also called the City of lakes. There are a lot of castles ,which have now been converted into hotels so tourists can have an experience of living in a castle. The places to visit in Udaipur are city palace,Jagdish temple, Sajjangarh palace, Bathing Ghat, Jag Mandir, Lake palace and Fateh Sagar lake.The view of all these places is like seeing heaven on earth.

Day 2 August 8,2016:- Ahmedabad – Udaipur –Got up early and started the ride with an expectation that there will be no rain today. But the moment i got down from the hotel it started drizzling, i continued to ride and before entering the rajasthan border i stopped by a hotel to have breakfast. Just few kilometers on the road it started raining so heavily that the visibility dropped to 5 to 10 feet, In midst of that my machine just stalled at a place where there was no humans visible. It had no signs of heart beat in it, found one under construction building, pushed my machine till there, i had only one option, that is to check the fuse, opened the fuse box and found the fuse has melted, luckily i had one extra so i replaced it with the new one and thank GOD my machine started, continued to ride. Within a few kilometer even this fuse melted so i had to direct the wire, while doing so i met a person Mr.Harteij who was a cancer survivor and was on a solo trip across India and he was going to udaipur too. So we decided to ride together till udaipur, the route was so scenic, after covering around another 100KM we met another rider Mr.Harshit who was riding from Gujarat to some place in Rajasthan. So we decided to stop for lunch at a good hotel at the entrance of rajasthan. We parked our machines and sat down for lunch. Then harshit said he had met with an accident earlier in which his leg bones were broken so people suggested to do work from home, but his determination let him to enroll for a hiking course and today he is a professional hiker. After lunch we clicked some photo and he left. I and harteij continued towards udaipur and reached by 4:30pm, he had some room booked in a villa so we decided to share the room. Freshened up and got my machine checked for the fuse problem and got some additional fuse and moved towards udaipur lake palace. So for the next hour we explored the lake palace, got few photos clicked and roamed around those area. Finally we had a good dinner at a hotel nearby and returned to our room,chatted for a while and went for sleep.

Udaipur is quiet, disturbingly quiet when one gets used to the Delhi craziness. The mountains gives the city this amazing plenitude. When you reach there go to the natural park, there after managing a few curves you reach the monsoon palace. Nothing better than to be there on misty and foggy day. The coolness and the clouds covering the plains will make the experience way more intense. The city at night is all light up the city fort overlooking one of the three lakes of the city.

Like their food and art, people of Rajasthan are warm and extremely welcoming. On a chilly winter night of December, lying on my back on the terrace of a hundred year old haveli overlooking the lake Pichola in Udaipur, I’m transported back to my childhood where I sat by my grandfather listening to him weaving fantasy and fairytale and performing effortlessly in front of a kid whose eyes bulged out with excitement and who’s heart pounded with anticipation and wonder and mind riddled with curiosity. People of India will never let me lose touch with the inner me!

Also called Amdavad, this place happened to be the former capital of the state of Gujarat. The third largest of all the cities in the state, it is situated on the banks of the famous Sabarmati River and happens to be the industrial and economic hub of the state. The Ahmedabad Stock Exchange is also the second oldest one in the country and the city second when it comes to cotton production. There are some very famous places like the Sabarmati Ashram and Kankaria Lake that one can visit when in Ahmedabad.Read More

Also called Amdavad, this place happened to be the former capital of the state of Gujarat. The third largest of all the cities in the state, it is situated on the banks of the famous Sabarmati River and happens to be the industrial and economic hub of the state. The Ahmedabad Stock Exchange is also the second oldest one in the country and the city second when it comes to cotton production. There are some very famous places like the Sabarmati Ashram and Kankaria Lake that one can visit when in Ahmedabad.

Day 1 August 7,2016:- Mumbai-Ahmedabad -536KM.My parents came down to see me off. The ride began by 9:30 am and i was so happy that finally after 3 years of wait, watching hundreds of ladakh road trip videos, reading hundreds of blogs, going through thousands of photos on google, i was on a trip to witness all these things by myself. Earlier this year i had done a solo trip, Mumbai-Rann of Kutch-Mumbai , so this route from mumbai to Ahmedabad was a familiar to me. Seeing me riding with all the gears and luggage mounted on my machine and sports cam on my helmet, also i had a name plate at the back of my machine which read “Mumbai – Ladakh – Mumbai. If you found me lost then drop me till ladakh”. Many people used to slow down their car and give a thumbs up, one person lowered the window glass and offered me dairy milk saying kuch meetha ho jaye. Felt good at people’s gestures on road as i got so many thumbs up. After reaching 100KM from home stopped at the same place where i stopped during my Rann of kutch trip. Clicked some photo and continued to ride, i was enjoying the moment . As expected during the whole ride i faced rain many times. By afternoon i stopped by a small dhaba and had my lunch. I was still far from Ahmedabad and wanted to reach there before it gets dark. Finally after covering 536KM reached Ahmedabad by 8:30pm, checked into a decent hotel and informed home that i have reached safely, freshened up had dinner and crashed into bed.

Jaipur to AhmedabadThis is last day of our Road trip for now but not for our journey. Now We have one more wonderful lifetime experience in our mind forever, and plenty more to come in future. So follow on. Things this trip taught me is you should not worry much about your future, have faith in you, people around you. if someone else can do it, then boss you are way better than someone.

Next day after a relaxing day at Udaipur we moved towards Diu. In between we halted at Ahmedabad and visited Sabarmati Ashram. The simple and easy lifestyle of the ashram fascinated me. It will always remain a question mark to me that how did the father of nation even thought of driving the Britishers out without any violence.

Best time to visit - January,February,September,October,November,December

Popular, colourful and culturally rich, Jodhpur is one of Rajasthan's most beautiful cities. It is also known as the Sun City of India and is said to have been built in the 15th century by a Rao Jodha.
This city was earlier known as Marwar and is currently the second largest city of Rajasthan. From the stunning Mehrangarh Fort (from where you can see the stunning blue city), Umaid Bhavan Palace to the bustling Sardar Market, there is tons to do and explore in this touristy city. If you like your holidays to be quiet and laidback, Jodhpur may not be for you – atleast for the first couple of days. There is too much to keep you busy.
Like almost all cities in Rajasthan, there are historical forts and palaces to explore and admire. Do carry a scarf and water for your afternoon expeditions should the heat tire you out. There are also umpteen restaurants and small cafes in Jodhpur which offer you delicious food and are also very welcoming. Jodhpur is also a great place to meet like-minded travellers.
Jodhpur is well connected to all the major cities of the country via rail, road and air. Read More

Popular, colourful and culturally rich, Jodhpur is one of Rajasthan's most beautiful cities. It is also known as the Sun City of India and is said to have been built in the 15th century by a Rao Jodha.
This city was earlier known as Marwar and is currently the second largest city of Rajasthan. From the stunning Mehrangarh Fort (from where you can see the stunning blue city), Umaid Bhavan Palace to the bustling Sardar Market, there is tons to do and explore in this touristy city. If you like your holidays to be quiet and laidback, Jodhpur may not be for you – atleast for the first couple of days. There is too much to keep you busy.
Like almost all cities in Rajasthan, there are historical forts and palaces to explore and admire. Do carry a scarf and water for your afternoon expeditions should the heat tire you out. There are also umpteen restaurants and small cafes in Jodhpur which offer you delicious food and are also very welcoming. Jodhpur is also a great place to meet like-minded travellers.
Jodhpur is well connected to all the major cities of the country via rail, road and air.

We didnot prebook a hotel in Jodhpur as Ratan Vilas was full that day. We came to Jodhpur and found Indana Palace just to stay that night. It was very huge . Room was great . But there was a wedding on that night which we didnt know caused some disturbance. Then all others went to shopping but I was least interested so stayed at hotel.

Paragliding: If you’ve already enjoyed everything a desert safari can offer, it’s time you try the air safari in Jodhpur. It’s a motorised paraglider that brings you an exceptional view of the terrain, a chance to try aerial photography and capture some gram-worthy pictures, and you can cross off another name on the adventure sports bucket-list. For bookings, get in touch with Flyboy Aviation, experts in the sport and winner of the Best Air Adventure by the Indian government. Actors Ranbir Kapoor, Kalki Koechlin, and Randeep Hooda have only good things to say: ‘It’s like flying a chair’ and ‘The closest you get to growing your own wings’. flyboy.inMaharajah’s Pavilion at the Raj Palace: One would think in-room dining is a luxury but wait till you book a stay at one of the poshest suites in the world. To begin with, isn’t quite a suite. Spread over 16,000 square feet, The Pavillion as it is also called, is a four-story apartment with private elevators. You’ll start feeling the enormity of it all from the entrance through Charbagh and victory corridor that leads up to the four bedrooms. The first floor houses a private secretarial area and an extra baggage store leading up to a colossal private lounge and bar.The second floor of the Pavilion overlooks the inner courts of the palaces, and the Charbagh gardens. It comprises a double-height reception room with vaulted apartments intended for private use. It was a sleeping chamber for the Thakur Sahib and its luxurious ornamentation includes Gold-leafed painted walls, detailed with stucco, and mirror work. The furniture is in gold and silver. As if this wasn’t enough, a private passage connects the different pavilions to the private in-room museum that displays the Old Throne and bolsters of Maharaja Thakur Sahib. The third floor comprises a library with restored literary texts, a lavish dining area, and the suite kitchen. Moving on higher, the fourth floor has a private roof top terrace, another library, a spa, a jacuzzi, a study area, a private seating lounge, on-call butler service, and a panoramic view of the city. This Pleasure Pavillion houses rich ivory and gold furniture and two luxurious bathrooms.

That night I rested in a small Choti Khatu restaurant. The next day I cycled for 195km to Jodhpur via Nagaur. That night I rested in Jodhpur in a guest house after a well-deserved hot water bath. Rejuvenated, the next 192 km leg to Pokhran via Osian, Phalodi, and Ramdevra was a breeze. However, the last 104km from Pokhran to Jaisalmer was a little different with plummeting temperatures and an overcast sky. By afternoon, as it became hotter, I had to battle strong headwinds through the desert. The difficult terrain, accompanied by the lack of easy availability of water and food, was tough to navigate, as a rider needs plenty of water to avoid dehydration. However, I had to ward off hunger and thirst for what seemed to be an eternal wait. Battling these demons I finally I reached Jaisalmer at around 2.30 pm.

I love being outdoors.I have always felt that travel is the only thing which always makes us feel alive.This was my first ever journey..A grand adventure was about to begin..We arrived in Jodhpur after a very enjoyable train journey. We found a tuk tuk without muchdifficulty and were greeted by a lovely man who showed us one of the best hotels in jodhpur.Jodhpur is at the heart of Rajasthan and is no less than a majestic jewel adorning an eternal crown.Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. It is sometimes called the "Sun City" for its consistently bright, sunny climate, or the Blue City because of the plethora of vivid blue coloured houses spread around the fort. This Blue colour in addition to giving the city analias, also serves a crucial purpose. In summer, the blue colour keeps the scorching heatoutside from raising the temperature levels within the houses, thereby helping maintainTemperature within manageable limits. The main languages spoken here are Hindi, Marwari and Rajasthani.1)Ghanta ghar ­ a big Clock Tower and Sardar Market: A prime attraction of the city, is the Clock Tower. This is the oldest tower in India. It is a magnificent tower with an old clock. ThisClock is unique. It is from London, manufactured by the same clock company, whomanufactured the clock for the London Clock Tower. This place is a center point for thenearby villagers who come here for shopping. The colourful Sardar Market is also quitepopular among the locals. Narrow alleys lead to quaint bazaars where one can find textiles, antiques, silverware, handicrafts among other things.If you want to discover the Blue City, this is where you might want to start.2)Umaid bhavan palaceOne among the numerous fascinating palaces of Jodhpur is the Umaid Bhavan palace.Maharaja Umaid Singh constructed it in 20th century. The Umaid Bhavan palace wasconverted into a heritage hotel in 1977.A part of this palace even today serves as the residence to the royal family of Jodhpur.The Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum is divided into three functional parts ­ a luxury Taj Palace Hotel, the residence of the owner's royal family, and a Museum focusing on the 20thcentury history of the Jodhpur Royal Family. Located at the top of a hill, the Umaid BhawanPalace museum (ticket for INR 30 for Indians and INR 100 for foreigners) is very well maintained, displaying an exclusive range of items belonging to the Maharaja and the royalfamily. It displays a range of items ranging from weapons to an array of stuffed leopards toantiques to some fascinating crockery and an amazing collection of clocks and trophies.Apart from this, one will also visit Royal Jodhpur Shops for small Rajasthani souvenirs.3) MEHRANGARH FORT :The older historic section of the city of Jodhpur is located around the grand Mehrangarh Fortwhich is bounded by a wall and several gates. It is situated on a 150 metre high hill and wasfounded by Rao Jodha in 1459. The weather there was just perfect! The gentle winter sunallowed me to walk around and explore the magnificent fort even at 2 pm. The ticket costsINR 60.The air carried an exotic aura of the beautiful folk songs which were being played bystreet musicians in the backdrop. The fort of Mehrangarh portrays its own architectural features, such as narrow staircases leading to the royal residence, carved panels andornately decorated walls.Yet again the views from the ramparts were amazing ­ you really could see why it is calledthe blue city, all the houses were painted blue! The rooms inside the palace were extremelygrand. Within the fort there is also a museum holding various objects from India's royalhistory, including some of the seats that were used by the Maharajas on top of theirelephants, various Rajput and Mughal weapons and armoury, intricate miniature paintingsand costumes worn by the occupants of the various palaces.I loved the feeling of being anonymous in a city I've never been before.I simply could not get over how warm, welcoming, and accommodating everyone in thiscity is. It took us half an hour to leave the hotel that night because the owner kept talkingand telling us every single thing there is to see and do in Jodhpur. This was end of mybeautiful journey.The graceful palaces, forts and temples strewn throughout the city bring alive the historicgrandeur of this city. Lending a romantic aura to Jodhpur, are its exquisite handicrafts, folkdances, folk music and the brightly attired people.With their sweet smiles and warm hospitality, they win the hearts of the tourists.DONT SETTELE DOWN AND SIT IN ONE PLACE MOVE AROUND BE NOMADIC MAKE EACH DAY A NEW HORIZONpushkar mela is very famous fair of Rajasthan and all over the India. I have Always wanted to experience the rich heritage and culture of our country. pushkar has a magnetism all of its own and is quite unlike anywhere else in Rajasthan. I want to go there Simply because it is one of the largest livestock fair in the world. Pushkar is a foodie’s heaven. This is definitely the chance to savor the rich taste of Rajasthan and get familiar with their cuisine. Last but not the least, want to hike till the Savitri temple and Tilla nearby to get a wonderful view of the whole fair. also sun setting which is just mesmerizing! Moreover, Pushkar Mela is, in the end, a religious event where people from all across India come to take a dip in the waters of Lake Pushkar to redeem themselves. Pushkar will always be on top in my bucket list.

Located approximately in the centre of Rajasthan, Jodhpur is frequented by many foreign tourists and is a preferred location amongst them. The beauty of this amazing city is rustic as well as regal at the same time. Such opulence and magnificence may be akin to the entire Rajasthan but the royalty of Jodhpur will only fill you with awe and admiration.The Mehrangarh Fort.I have not seen so much opulence in one place. This towering fort perched atop a hill is a spectacle to watch from the city as well as perfect to catch a glimpse of the blue walled city down below. The fort possesses an imposing beauty that can leave you baffled. Within the high walls of the fort are a series of museums that display the plethora of royal artifacts and commodities that were once used by the royal families who resided here.

This happened about three years back in December. My parents and I had gone to celebrate my birthday as well as the new year in Jodhpur. Since we had come here for the first time (and I was with family :D), we did the normal tourist routine- took a cab and saw all the famous places and palaces and got our pics clicked- the typical sightseers.Now, December is apparently the grand polo season in Jodhpur. None of us had ever attended a polo match before that. My dad got wind of this exhibition match that was going to take place while we were there, and was also open to the general public (polo matches generally are a private and posh affair). So, excited, he directed our cab driver of the day to take us there after lunch.

Another shade of Rajasthan, distinctively painted through the cityscape in a brilliant hue, Jodhpur is a joy to behold. Descend into the blue maze and discover the life lurking within the brilliant labyrinth.

Then, we headed to Jodhpur. A 4 hr journey from Jaisalmer, with good roads and a lot of goats coming in the mid of the way, we reached Jodhpur. We visited the fort first, the Meherangarh Fort. The fort is not at all small. Its huge, its steep, its giant. Amazing thing is it has a chargeable lift too. Meherangarh has lots and lots of royal acquisitions in the museum. It took about an hr and a half for the fort to complete. Then ofcourse we had the sunset time. The city is known as the "Sun City" for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all the year round. It is also referred to as the "Blue City" due to the vivid blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort.
Then we headed to Kalinga hotel, best budget hotel in Jodhpur. Okay, the truth is the google map showed the narrow lane road wherein we were moving only Bhagwan Bharose. The local people were looking as we were terrorists, but finally when we completed the lane, it was a relief as if we thought this was never ending and we wont be able to even reverse the car.The next day, after the awesome breakfast we went to the Umaid Bhavan Palace. The Palace was built, between 1928 and 1943, for H.H. Maharaja Umaid Singh ji, Grand Father of our present Maharaja, who had benevolently commissioned a new palace in 1923 to replace Mehrangarh Fort as the symbol of a new Jodhpur and to give employment to the people of Marwar during the period's great droughts and famines.The view of the palace itself puts you in a WOWW situation. There is a small museum inside it wherein the best segment was of the royal crockery and royal clocks.

Surrounded by the enchanting Aravali hills, Ajmer is a medieval city most popular for the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. Once ruled by Prithviraj Chauhan, the city is a treasure house of Rajput and Islamic architecture. Ajmer, which is located in the heart of Rajasthan, also serves as the base for Pushkar, which is just 11km away.
The magnificent Taragarh fort situated on the summit of the Taragarh Hill is an unmissable site for its view of the city. At the foot of this hill is the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the tomb of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. The large pillars or Kose that you’ll see here actually run till Agra from where Akbar and his queen visited this sanctum. You can also visit the Akbar Fort and Museum for its collection of medieval armour and sculptures. There are several other sites of Hindu, Islamic and Jain religious importance that you can look out for while taking a ride through the city on the horse-drawn tongas.
Fill up on delicacies such as the Kesarganj gol chakkar, chaat and kachori at the Pandit Restaurant opposite Daulat Bagh. The women’s market is a hub of traditional lehengas and odhnis. Amidst the old-fashioned and charming city of Ajmer, Ambassador and Hotel Mansingh Palace offer two of the most conventional and luxurious stays. Read More

Surrounded by the enchanting Aravali hills, Ajmer is a medieval city most popular for the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. Once ruled by Prithviraj Chauhan, the city is a treasure house of Rajput and Islamic architecture. Ajmer, which is located in the heart of Rajasthan, also serves as the base for Pushkar, which is just 11km away.
The magnificent Taragarh fort situated on the summit of the Taragarh Hill is an unmissable site for its view of the city. At the foot of this hill is the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the tomb of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. The large pillars or Kose that you’ll see here actually run till Agra from where Akbar and his queen visited this sanctum. You can also visit the Akbar Fort and Museum for its collection of medieval armour and sculptures. There are several other sites of Hindu, Islamic and Jain religious importance that you can look out for while taking a ride through the city on the horse-drawn tongas.
Fill up on delicacies such as the Kesarganj gol chakkar, chaat and kachori at the Pandit Restaurant opposite Daulat Bagh. The women’s market is a hub of traditional lehengas and odhnis. Amidst the old-fashioned and charming city of Ajmer, Ambassador and Hotel Mansingh Palace offer two of the most conventional and luxurious stays.

Oct 8th, seven in the morning, I started my ride from Delhi en route Ajmer. The distance is about 400 km. Every 50 mins once I used to break and I maintained it as a standard protocol. The highway NH 8 was splendid and I loved riding on it. I could cover 40 - 45 km in a single stretch. Even though I was not thirsty, to avoid dehydration I forcefully kept drinking 300 ml of water after every stretch. By 3 pm, I reached Ajmer and checked into a hotel, had lunch and rested for as couple of hours. By evening I went to Dargah sharif, offered prayers and found some inner peace

AJMER(2 days)From udaipur i made my way to ajmer (city of khawaja moinuddin chisti). Ajmer is one of the most famous and the oldest city of rajasthan built by ajaymeru chauhan later the throne was passed to prithviraj chahuan (last hindu ruler of india). This place is surrounded by the aravali ranges from all the sides and it encapsulates some marvels between them.

Your spot checklist for Ajmer: Ajmer is a common pilgrimage destination for many who arrive here to visit the Tomb of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti's. But the cultural abundance of this place is reflected in the multiple ancient temple places and forts in this small city. When in Ajmer visit Adhai-din ka Jhonpra Mosque, Nasiyan Jain Temple, Ana Sagar Lake and also, Brahma Temple in Pushkar, which is 14km away from Ajmer.Best picks for budget hotels in Ajmer under INR 2000.OYO Rooms NH 8 AjmerAddress: Gegal, AjmerHotel Price: INR 1749Click here to book now.

The market area, from this side you can walk all the way up to Dargah in ajmer, must try is Chicken Biriyani at Sahansha. Mutton variety is also splendid. For sweet lovers, Sohan Halwa. Well, from here we were heading to a nearby city "Pushkar."

Best time to visit - January,February,March,September,October,November,December

Pushkar is full of colour, culture, warmth and joy! The first thing that attracts one to Pushkar is perhaps the colourful streets lined with small shops and hopeful faces.
The route from Ajmer to Pushkar is stunning and unlike any other route in Rajasthan. It's quite hilly and hence surprising. Pushkar is a very small town and its first glimpse is astonishing for first timers who are expecting a big town. The town is very famous for its numerous temples, serene lake and lovely market.
Do visit Pushkar Lake during the evenings, since afternoons here are quite hot unless you are visiting during peak winters. There is also a small temple next to the lake and though the temple is beautiful, the priests here make it difficult to sit in peace. They constantly pester you to perform pujas and it's a little annoying when all you want is to enjoy a few moments of silence.
The market next to the temple and lake is quite fun to explore and there is tons you can take back including bangles, bandhini sarees and dupattas, palazzos and stunning silver jewellery. Don't forget to have the kachoris next to the temple since they are perhaps the best you'll have in Pushkar.
Reaching Pushkar is hassle-free since there are tons of buses plying from and to major cities and it would be best to combine Ajmer and Pushkar in one trip. Do choose a traditional homestay to spend your vacation in Pushkar and you'll have an unforgettable experience!Read More

Pushkar is full of colour, culture, warmth and joy! The first thing that attracts one to Pushkar is perhaps the colourful streets lined with small shops and hopeful faces.
The route from Ajmer to Pushkar is stunning and unlike any other route in Rajasthan. It's quite hilly and hence surprising. Pushkar is a very small town and its first glimpse is astonishing for first timers who are expecting a big town. The town is very famous for its numerous temples, serene lake and lovely market.
Do visit Pushkar Lake during the evenings, since afternoons here are quite hot unless you are visiting during peak winters. There is also a small temple next to the lake and though the temple is beautiful, the priests here make it difficult to sit in peace. They constantly pester you to perform pujas and it's a little annoying when all you want is to enjoy a few moments of silence.
The market next to the temple and lake is quite fun to explore and there is tons you can take back including bangles, bandhini sarees and dupattas, palazzos and stunning silver jewellery. Don't forget to have the kachoris next to the temple since they are perhaps the best you'll have in Pushkar.
Reaching Pushkar is hassle-free since there are tons of buses plying from and to major cities and it would be best to combine Ajmer and Pushkar in one trip. Do choose a traditional homestay to spend your vacation in Pushkar and you'll have an unforgettable experience!

Pushkar....the city of temples, divine food, artistry, handicrafts and many more things..

But this is not my story for PUSHKAR, my story lies around a small boy named SANGEET.I visited Pushkar last year as well during the Mela. While I was roaming around the families of the Camel herds, I came across this family of 4- A father, A son, An Aunt, and a wife.While I was capturing this girl filling water for the preparation of dinner, a boy pulled off my t-shirt and asked for money. I captured him and had a short conversation. This is a story of Pushkar Mela 2015, not even a story I would say, was a moment for the day. Who knows a connection was being made in the processing that I'll cherish in the coming future.This year, 2016! I again visited Pushkar Mela. I went to the same old place I visited last year to capture some camels during the time of sunset. What a coincidence it was, a small boy pulls off my t-shirt. I was busy capturing the Camels as the sun was about to set and so, I had to take a good number of shots as a memory to my everyday life.This young chap was a bit stubborn, he constantly pulled off my tee. I gave him a look that I was busy. I recalled the face in my mind, I looked at him once again and got shocked that this is the same kid I met last year. I told him that I captured you last year, he was not willing to trust me and demanded to show him his photograph that I took. I went through my phone's gallery that consists over 5000 photographs in search of that one photograph. He was teasing me by saying I was kidding and that I do not have that photograph. He called his dad and told him that this guy is claiming to have his photograph that he clicked last year. His dad was super happy and told me if that's true, it's incredible. The father and son- Sangeet were waiting for me to show them that photograph.Finally I got that photograph and it was...

This day we were going to Jodhpur via Pushkar. Pushkar is a very holy place. We are not only travellers but also devotees. We went to Pushkar lake , did pujas to our elders , immersed in the holy water, went to lord Brahma for darshan. This took us whole 3 hours. Then had our lunch and started to Jodhpur. We booked Ratan Vilas hotel in Jodhpur which was itself a palace previously. It was amazing place. We regretted we reached late to Jodhpur and had to leave to Jaisalmer early.

There are no “must see” sites in Pushkar. Which means you have the time to sit back and observe life happen in this beautiful and devout state, which coils around a holy lake. With one of the few Brahma temples in the world and, the town is colourful and chaotic. The place especially comes alive during the Pushkar fair (which takes place in October or November), when Indian and foreign artists come together on the Jaipur Ghat and play instruments and perform. Sunsets are especially beautiful at this magnificent ghat, when the bells of the temples sound and the lake changes colour, leading to feelings of peace and satisfaction deep within.Have a “special lassi or coffee” at any one of the roadside cafes in the main market

Around 2 pm I started from Udaipur and instead of catching NH 8 via Beawar, I rode on some other highway via Chittorgarh and kept moving forward. The road was not as good as NH 8 but still not too inconvenient. It started getting dark around 6.15 pm and I had 110 more km to cover. I reduced my speed to 50 - 60 KMPH and reached Pushkar via Ajmer around 9 pm to reach a fine-looking resort where I stayed.Day 5: The final destination to Delhi (Oct 12, 2016)

5. PushkarWe reach the king of pilgrim sites Pushkar which is in the district of Ajmer, Rajasthan. It also serves as one of the five Dhaams in India and has emerged as one of the major popular destination for foreigners and Indian citizens. The ambiance is created by the roses in and around the city and the great mela or the great Pushkar fairs. Because of the ideal temperature, Pushkar will be the must visit place in November in India.

Delhi to Pushkar is an easy 7 hour drive on the NH48. There are several stops you can make before reaching the holy city of Pushkar. Places such as Pataudi, Neemrana, Kukas and Jaipur will make for interesting stops en route. A road trip to Pushkar also makes for a great and offbeat long weekend getaway.Where to stay: Pushkar is known for cheap accommodation, and Zostel (Rs 666 per night) is a great option.

Pushkar: October serves as the best time to visit Pushkar, the Hindu pilgrimage centre that has lately emerged as the new hippie hub in the state of Rajasthan. Apart from the Brahma temple and the majestic Pushkar Lake, the city is also known for the countless cafe-hopping spots that are an absolute delight to any visitor.Best way to reach Pushkar is to take a road trip from Delhi via Ajmer. Ajmer is also the closest railway station to Pushkar at a distance of around 11kms.Read more: 8 Things To Do in Ajmer and Pushkar by Bidisha

There’s nothing quite like sitting on a rooftop with the shimmering holy lake smiling at you. It’s where the morning prayer bells greet you. The luminous patchwork of flickering lights sets the evening sun behind the Aravallis. And Pushkar smiles at you. Sharing its side of the story. The world knows about the sacred temples that Pushkar boasts of. Especially, Lord Brahma’s. A proof of the faith is seen as a muddle on the streets that are crowded with tourists and hippies alike. But Pushkar is more than that. From the plush Puskar Palace that sits right on the ghats of the holy Lake, to something as small as the Lake View hotel, different myriads of lifestyles amaze you. All co-existing, blending perfectly together.

Best time to visit - January,February,September,October,November,December

Popularly known as Baroda, Vadodara is great travel destination for history buffs and art enthusiasts. The town is known for the grand Laxmi Vilas Palace and the Fatehsingh Museum (both located in the same premises). Do keep aside an entire day if you are fond or art and culture since the palace is huge and deserves that kind of time.
You can also visit Sayaji Baug, a lush, refreshing garden in the middle of the city. It is the perfect place to visit if you are travelling with children since it has a small kid's zone, a cafeteria, a small museum and a zoo. If you are in the city for more than a day, do visit Maharaja Fatehsingh Museum since it houses numerous rare and beautiful paintings, sculptures and murals from all over the world, collected by the royal family.
Vadodara may not be a traveller's perfect destination, but it does have its fair share of history, culture and art. Read More

Popularly known as Baroda, Vadodara is great travel destination for history buffs and art enthusiasts. The town is known for the grand Laxmi Vilas Palace and the Fatehsingh Museum (both located in the same premises). Do keep aside an entire day if you are fond or art and culture since the palace is huge and deserves that kind of time.
You can also visit Sayaji Baug, a lush, refreshing garden in the middle of the city. It is the perfect place to visit if you are travelling with children since it has a small kid's zone, a cafeteria, a small museum and a zoo. If you are in the city for more than a day, do visit Maharaja Fatehsingh Museum since it houses numerous rare and beautiful paintings, sculptures and murals from all over the world, collected by the royal family.
Vadodara may not be a traveller's perfect destination, but it does have its fair share of history, culture and art.

Now it was time for us to head back to Mumbai. We started riding back and at Bhuj we got our bike serviced and by night we could reach Vadodara.Next day we again started early with a motive to reach Mumbai by night. We could reach Daman by evening and again it being a union territory we had some good beers to charge ourselves for the one final time for the trip.

Early morning, the next day we were headed back to Mumbai which is nearly 800 Kms away. We did a stop-over at Vadodara, for the night, where we enjoyed the street food, before proceeding to Mumbai. Having visited both the Legends, at Dandi, and the Lions, at Gir, we brought our road trip through Saurashtra to a successful end.

15. Vadodara -A little under than 2 hours from Ahmedabad is the teeming city of Vadodara which offers a refreshing change of scenery. Palaces, historical monuments, museums and beautiful gardens are the city’s pride. A road trip is the perfect way to set about this journey when the weekend comes calling.

On day 9 morning made visit to City Palace and Monsoon Palace and then started my return journey to Pune through Vadodara. Reached Vadodara by 09:30 PM and settled in a hotel near the city. On day 10 started my ride towards Pune from Vadodara and reached Pune at 09:30 PM.

Vadodara, the city of palaces !! <br />Laxmi vilas palace and kirti mandir are the attraction for travelers. <br />As well as famous Sur Sagar lake. <br />Sayaji baug, kamati baug are the famous gardens belong to our great King Maharaja Sayaji Rav . <br />One of the largest garden in Gujarat after the name of King. <br />The facilities, food, and the museum are the most pleasant thing in this city while back packing in Vadodara. <br />The "khau galli" is most famous eat street of Gujarat for the foodies.

Best time to visit - January,February,March,September,October,November,December

Chittorgarh, the erstwhile capital of Mewar under the Rajputs, is an extremely popular tourist destination for history buffs, photographers and those who enjoy a peek into history.
The most famous tourist spot here is the grand Chittorgarh fort. Situated on a hill, the fort is also fondly known as the Water Fort. The fort encompasses water bodies, towers, temples and palaces and is considered to be one of the strongest forts in India. Keep aside at least half a day to explore this lovely architectural site lest you miss out on one of Rajasthan's most treasured spots.
If you are in Chittorgarh around the festival of Jauhar Mela, you will witness the enthusiasm and excitement of the local people and will also get a sneak peek into the simple way of life here.
Do also visit Gaumukh Reservoir, Meera Temple and the popular Jain temples. For those who are particular about where they stay during their holidays, Chittorgarh has tons of fantastic choices including guesthouses and luxurious hotels.Read More

Chittorgarh, the erstwhile capital of Mewar under the Rajputs, is an extremely popular tourist destination for history buffs, photographers and those who enjoy a peek into history.
The most famous tourist spot here is the grand Chittorgarh fort. Situated on a hill, the fort is also fondly known as the Water Fort. The fort encompasses water bodies, towers, temples and palaces and is considered to be one of the strongest forts in India. Keep aside at least half a day to explore this lovely architectural site lest you miss out on one of Rajasthan's most treasured spots.
If you are in Chittorgarh around the festival of Jauhar Mela, you will witness the enthusiasm and excitement of the local people and will also get a sneak peek into the simple way of life here.
Do also visit Gaumukh Reservoir, Meera Temple and the popular Jain temples. For those who are particular about where they stay during their holidays, Chittorgarh has tons of fantastic choices including guesthouses and luxurious hotels.

Finally at dusk we started for Chittorgarh and after around 100 km took a halt for some good food at a dhaba and after that rode again and we were able to complete the ride in one piece and still managed to find a cheap guesthouse for a healthy and sound sleep.

We visited the Chitttorgarh fort in the morning and meanwhile got our bikes checked and done with some minor repairing. The story of how the Rajputs fought bravely and jauhar committed by ladies and children throws a light about the importance of pride and fearless life. The sacrifice given by them can never go unnoticed.

ChittorgarhThe very essence due to which the princely state of Rajasthan has been in talks is due to the valiance of the king Maharana Pratap. It is the birth place of this great king who had not only ruled the place but also the hearts of the courtiers of his palace.The Fort of Chittorgarh is the place of birth of King Maharana Pratap. His ancestors reigned the place up to many generations. The fort has been structured in such a manner that there was a separate place of living, place of worship, royal bath and a lot more. The highlights of the fort remains the Vijay Stambh till date.

Then we left for Chittorgarh.
Yes, google maps again sent us to a short cut wherein my car went into the gutter lines. We reached Rnb 1589.
Next day we went for the Chittod Fort, India’s no.1 fort.
Chittorgarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India. It is a World Heritage Site. The fort, popularly known as Chittor, was the capital of Mewar and is today situated in Chittorgarh. It was initially ruled by Guhilot and later by Sisodias, the Suryavanshi clans of Chattari Rajputs, from the 7th century, until it was finally abandoned in 1568 after the siege by Emperor Akbar in 1567. The fort was sacked three times between the 15th and 16th centuries; in 1303 Allauddin Khilji defeated Rana Ratan Singh, in 1535 Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat defeated Bikramjeet Singh and in 1567 Akbar defeated Maharana Udai Singh II who left the fort and founded Udaipur. Each time the men fought bravely rushing out of the fort walls charging the enemy but lost every time. Following these defeats, Jauhar was committed thrice by more than 13,000 ladies and children of the Rajput heroes who laid their lives in battles at Chittorgarh Fort, first led by Rani Padmini wife of Rana Rattan Singh who was killed in the battle in 1303, and later by Rani Karnavati in 1537 AD
Padmini's Palace or Rani Padmini's Palace is a white building and a three storied structure (a 19th-century reconstruction of the original). It is located in the southern part of the fort. Chhatris (pavilions) crown the palace roofs and a water moat surrounds the palace. This style of palace became the forerunner of other palaces built in the state with the concept of Jal Mahal (palace surrounded by water). It is at this Palace where Alauddin was permitted to glimpse the mirror image of Rani Padmini, wife of Maharana Rattan Singh. It is widely believed that this glimpse of Padmini's beauty besotted him and convinced him to destroy Chittor in order to possess her.
Then back to Ahmedabad.

The historic capital of the Mewar rulers, it is one of the largest forts that you can find in India. While you walk past the fort and its remains, you will read about the chivalrous deeds of the Mewar rulers and experience the battles from that time rekindle your imagination.

This is another stretch of NH 76 which connects Rajasthan to MP and UP via Kota, Shivpuri , and Jhansi. Udaipur to Chittorgarh is approx 120 Km and can be reached in less than 2 hours. The road is well maintained and in good condition. There are some good spots for break and photography in this stretch as well, as Aravalli extends to the outskirts of Udaipur. Chittorgarh has a very rich history from Rajputana dynasty. The fort is the largest in India and holds a very special place in hearts of Rajputs. The warrior King of Mewar, Maharana Pratap took an oath to spend his life living in the jungles and fighting until he could realize his dream of reconquering Chittorgarh from Akbar (and thus reclaiming the glory of Mewar). It has also been a land of worship for Meera. And don't forget to stop at SHARMA's restaurant on the way to have scrumptious desi ghee Dal Baati and Churma.

The small city of Nathdwara on the banks of Banas river in Rajasthan is full of religious sentiment. Cuddled in the Aravalli hills, it is popular for being home to Shrinathji, an incarnated idol of infant Lord Krishna. Largely a faithful city, almost everything about this place is in some way or the other associated with the temple. Even their music, Haveli, is a devotional genre.
The Shrinathji Temple draws pilgrims plenty but very few tourists. It is also called the Haveli of Shrinathji. The temple is very simple and non-fancy. What is captivating is the idol of Lord Krishna in an avatar where he is lifting the Govardhana Hill. Out of a large black stone is carve out the figurine of the lord with his left hand raised and the right one fisted. Aartis and shringars of the idol are performed in such fashion that it seems that the idol is indeed living. Pilgrims wait to get a glimpse of the lord when the curtain is removed. The mysticism of the idol is enigmatic for reasons unknown.
Pichwai paintings are something to look out for here. The bright paintings on hand-spun fabric often depict tales from the Raas-Leela. Complete your getaway with sumptuous and delicious street food such as khaman and fafda along with piping hot masala tea.Read More

The small city of Nathdwara on the banks of Banas river in Rajasthan is full of religious sentiment. Cuddled in the Aravalli hills, it is popular for being home to Shrinathji, an incarnated idol of infant Lord Krishna. Largely a faithful city, almost everything about this place is in some way or the other associated with the temple. Even their music, Haveli, is a devotional genre.
The Shrinathji Temple draws pilgrims plenty but very few tourists. It is also called the Haveli of Shrinathji. The temple is very simple and non-fancy. What is captivating is the idol of Lord Krishna in an avatar where he is lifting the Govardhana Hill. Out of a large black stone is carve out the figurine of the lord with his left hand raised and the right one fisted. Aartis and shringars of the idol are performed in such fashion that it seems that the idol is indeed living. Pilgrims wait to get a glimpse of the lord when the curtain is removed. The mysticism of the idol is enigmatic for reasons unknown.
Pichwai paintings are something to look out for here. The bright paintings on hand-spun fabric often depict tales from the Raas-Leela. Complete your getaway with sumptuous and delicious street food such as khaman and fafda along with piping hot masala tea.

One feels the divinity and purity of this place as soon as you step down on the station. People throng to Nathdwara to visit the Shrinathji temple. This place is open 365 days in a year as there are no seasonal hindrances.

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Mount Abu is the only hill station in the deserts of Rajasthan. Among forts and palaces, this quiet hill station is quite popular with local tourists as well as visitors from across the country.
A place of great religious reverence to the Jain community, the Dilwara Jain Temple is a set of five temples, all belonging to a different century. The temples are carved out of white marble and depict scenes of Gods and Goddesses and are a must visit for their architectural brilliance.
You can also spend a day at Nakki Lake. Lying in the hills, this lovely lake offers boating opportunities to visitors. The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is another wonderful way to spend your time on this hill station and can take up your entire day, so do keep yourself free. For trekkers and adventure enthusiasts, the Guru Shikhar is the highest peak in the region and trekking here is a memorable and adventurous experience, though if you aren't an experienced trekker, you may need a little help!
There are numerous hotels and guesthouses here, though depending on the type of traveller you are, it might be a good idea to do a little bit of research before settling on a place to stay.